Comrade J

Secrets of Russia's Master Spy in America after the End of the Cold War

By: Pete Earley

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Spymaster, defector, double agent....Here is the remarkable true story of the man who ran Russia's post-cold-war spy program in America.

In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed, the cold war ended, and a new world order began. We thought everything had changed. But one thing never changed: the spies.

From 1995 to 2000, a man known as "Comrade J" was the highest-ranking operative in the SVR - the successor agency to the KGB - in the United States. He directed all Russian spy action in New York City and personally oversaw every covert operation against the United States and its allies in the United Nations. He recruited spies, planted agents, penetrated security, manipulated intelligence, and influenced American policy - all under the direct leadership of Boris Yeltsin and then Vladimir Putin. He was a legend in the SVR, the man who kept the secrets.

Then, in 2000, he defected - and it turned out he had one more secret. For the previous two years, he had also been a double agent for the FBI.

He has never granted a public interview. The FBI and CIA have refused to answer all media questions about him. He has remained in hiding. He has never revealed his secrets. Until now.

Comrade J, written by the best-selling author of Family of Spies and The Hot House, is his story, a direct account of what he did in the United States after we all assumed the spying was over - and of what Putin and Russia continue to do today. The revelations are stunning. It is also the story of growing up in a family of agents dating back to the revolution; of how Russia molded him into one of its most high-flying operatives; of the day-to-day perils of living a double, then triple, life; and finally, of how his growing disquiet with the corruption and ambitions of the "new Russia" led him to take the most perilous step of all.

Many spies have told their stories. None has the astonishing immediacy, relevance, and cautionary warnings of Comrade J.

©2007 Pete Earley, Inc. (P)2008 Tantor

I lightening history of the fall of the Soviet Union.

Fascinating account of the evolution of a Soviet patriot to defector to the USA. How he was motivated by Soviet corruption and the hope of a better life for his family. The inside workings of the “spy craft” is engrossing.

Excellent book, compelling story

Great reality check. This courageous man is a better American than most of us. I wish them well...

Better than expected

Even though it was first published in 2007, I could see how it was going to impact a lot of lives for the worse, most deservedly. The Russians are a scourge on the world, and so much energy has been devoted to combating them day in and day out. This book reveals in detail Sergei Tretyakov's defection from the SVR. In doing so, it paints a detail rich picture of life working for the corrupt and brutal Siloviki machine post-Cold War.

It is naive to think Russia will ever escape the paranoia and brutality that is baked into its creed. Such different people they are from us.

And "Nuclear Winter" is uncovered as Soviet disinformation, who knew?

must read

fascinating read, very well produced, well written, an important look at Russian attitudes and policies.

Good lesson on modern Russia

A good account from someone that was part of the Russian Intelligence with first hand knowledge and participation in the collapse of the Soviet Union and the folly of our mutual interests.